How It Works
Net-Billing allows buildings to offset their electricity costs by producing their own power using photovoltaic (PV) systems. When the building's energy production exceeds its consumption, the surplus electricity is exported to the grid. This causes the electricity meter to run backwards, providing a credit against future consumption. Customers are billed only for their net energy use, which is the difference between the energy consumed and the energy produced. The excess energy supplied to the grid is credited in Euros (€) at the rate determined by the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) based on the cost of purchasing renewable energy sources (RES) electricity.
Eligible Applicants
Net-Billing is available for any commercial, industrial, or public building. Eligible applicants include:
Commercial and industrial units
Public buildings
Camps
Schools
Agricultural and livestock units
Fishing enterprises
Residential properties
Sizing & Installation
The correct sizing of the PV system is crucial to match the energy needs of the building. This involves considering the allocated load of the property, its annual consumption, and the demand profile. The minimum and maximum capacities that can be installed range from 10 kWp to 10 MWp per electricity consumption bill.
On a Pitched Roof: Installing 1 kW of power with PV panels measuring 1.72m x 1.13m requires around 5m² of clean surface area. For a 20 kW system, you would need approximately 100m² of clean surface area.
On a Flat Roof: Installing 1 kW of power with the same PV panel size requires about 10m² of clean surface area. For a 20 kW system, you would need around 200m² of clean surface area.
Licensing Process for PV Systems
The licensing process for PV systems involves several steps:
An application to each District Administration/Municipality to secure exemption from a building permit.
After securing this form, an application is submitted to the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) as a Distribution System Operator (DSO).
For PV systems over 50 kWp, a General License must be secured from CERA.
Upon receiving approval from the DSO, the connection terms are issued, and after they are paid by the customer, the meter offset contract form is signed.
The project proceeds to implementation.
Upon installation completion, the final stage involves the control arrangement of the PV system with the EAC.
After a successful audit and issuance of the suitability certificate by the EAC, an application for the issuance of a contract is submitted.
With the signing of the contract with EAC, the PV system is put into operation.
Documents Required
The specific documents required for the Net-Billing application process typically include:
Application forms to the District Administration/Municipality for building permit exemption.
Application forms to the EAC for connection to the grid.
General License application to CERA for PV systems over 50 kWp.
Connection terms agreement documents with the DSO.
Suitability certificate issued by the EAC after the system audit.